Nigeria’s economy can’t thrive in uncertainty, insecurity – Lai Mohammed

‎Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said that without security, investors flee the country and young people become vulnerable to political manipulation.

He said this on Thursday during the 7th Freedom Online Annual Lecture with theme: “2027 Elections: Economy, Security and Nigeria’s Future,” which held in Lagos.

Mohammed argued that no business environment can thrive in uncertainty and no investor will deploy capital where safety cannot be guaranteed.

He also stated that no political system can remain stable if large young people lack gainful employment and viable paths to success.

‎”Security is the precondition for economic growth. No business thrives in an atmosphere of uncertainty, and no foreign or local investor deploys capital where safety cannot be guaranteed. In turn, political stability depends on economic inclusion. When young people are gainfully employed and see a clear path to self-actualisation, the political space becomes far less susceptible to manipulation and electoral violence,” he said.

‎Mohammed said that without security, electoral processes cannot reflect the genuine choice of citizens. He said that the Federal Government is confronting very difficult challenges in the areas of security and economic reforms and cautioned against unrealistic expectations for quick results. resolution.

He urged that media coverage during election should be irresponsible and sensationalism, fake news, and rhetorics which can destabilize the nation should be avoided.

“The 2027 election must be viewed not merely as a contest for power, but as a commitment to continuity and nation-building,” he said. “Politics must never be allowed to override governance. The real measure of our democratic progress is whether our electoral outcomes strengthen institutions, bolster investor confidence and guarantee peace across our communities.

‎”During a campaign season, media reporting directly shapes public perception, economic confidence and national security. Sensationalism, fake news and incendiary rhetoric act as accelerants to instability. We therefore need a media that is robust without being reckless; critical without being destructive; patriotic without becoming partisan; and free without forgetting the enormous responsibility that comes with freedom. I charge the press to remain the custodians of truth as we head into another critical transition period,” Mohammed said.